Sustainable ways to construct a house are becoming increasingly popular due to the rising costs of building a new house in 2024. There are plenty of new methods that builders have been using to be more environmentally friendly. One of the latest innovations in this field is the Gablok house design. This is an efficient wooden house kit that uses insulated wooden bricks, beams and flooring to help with the easy construction of a house.
Founded in 2019 by Gabriel Lakatos, Gablok provides a revolutionary construction method that uses sustainable wooden materials. This self-construction housing system was validated by engineering offices that specialise in energy efficiency and acoustic performance after several months of research and testing.
This guide will investigate building a Gablok house in the USA by taking a look at different pricing options and what distributors sell this sustainable kit.
House Self-Building With Gablok
Together with an exact installation design, the Gablok building kit is supplied right to the house construction site. You can complete the building of the roof and the external finishing with the finish of your choosing once the insulated formworks are assembled. The process of installing this kit is quick and it doesn’t need to be dried out, meaning you don’t have to wait longer.
You will also avoid the additional waste associated with on-site processing because of the simple on-site assembly.
What Does The Gablok Construction Kit Include?
There are eight parts included in the Gablok construction kit:
- Rafter: A wooden element that holds the kit together.
- Flooring: This component fits onto the top plate and forms the floor of the building.
- Beam: Holds the different levels together and is made to accommodate heavy spans.
- Insulated Top Rail Block: Added to the top of a wall and accommodates the embossed plate.
- General Insulated Block: The main block of the build that is used most frequently. It is available in three types.
- Insulated Bottom Rail Block: Placed at the bottom of the wall on the starting plate.
- Base and Top Runner: Acts as a base for the build and connects the blocks.
- Load and Non-Load Bearing Walls: These interior wall elements are made on-site and will be used throughout the build.
You will also get screws and an in-depth plan for the installation frame, in addition to these eight kinds of wood blocks that will allow you to make your project.
Gablok USA Availability
A significant growth for Gablok in the USA is expected between 2025 and 2028. The makers are optimistic about starting in one state and “gradually expanding, with a potential three-year timeline to cover the entire US due to its vast territory. Regarding Gablok’s debut in the US, discussions are underway with a real estate developer. Initial projections suggest around a hundred houses in the first year,” Rudy Polese, Gablok’s Head of Development.
Gablok blocks can still be purchased in the USA, but not through the Gablok license, as they can currently be found on eBay for around $50 per block. This price is different for the official Gabloks, with prices around $27 per square foot and $300 per square meter.
What is the Environmental Impact of the Gablok Build?
Apart from offering top-notch insulated wood blocks for DIY construction, the Gablok idea aims to be precisely aligned with today’s eco-friendly-focused world. Gablok has been designed and researched in this way to minimize adverse environmental effects.
Reusable resources have been used to create these insulated wood blocks. Gablok also collaborates with regional businesses in Belgium, including X-PACK in Verviers and l’atelier Les Gaillettes in Liège. This combination of companies all strive to be green and sustainable, which is the primary goal of creating these Gablok blocks. The hope is that these blocks will one day be used in the mainstream to help with the push for a sustainable world, which should see huge strides once they make moves in the American market.
The Benefits of Gablok Block Builds
Prefabrication
Every building component of the Gablok system is factory-prefabricated. This guarantees that every part fits together perfectly. This means that self-builders won’t have to put in a lot of overtime on the job site with cutting and fitting supplies. Additionally, this can expedite the project’s shell phase considerably and lessen waste on the site.
Easy Process
The shape and size of insulated wood blocks make them lightweight and manageable. This makes them especially well-suited for self-construction. All building components can be delivered without the use of construction equipment. Self-builders can move forward at their own pace and save a significant amount of time that can be used for interior design elements, such as choosing furniture, appliances, and window decor like blinds.
Less Wait Time
An important factor contributing to building delays is waiting for materials to dry, particularly concrete. These delays may cause the construction timeline to be extended by weeks or even months. There’s no such issue with Gablok. These sustainable blocks require no drying time and act as self-insulators. You can nearly instantly go on to the following step after assembling them.
No Weather Impact
One of the primary reasons for construction delays can be the unpredictable nature of the weather. Days with heavy rain, wind, or temperature fluctuations may require personnel to halt their work. For the owner, this may entail additional expenses, difficulty, and stress.
The Gablok system is weather-resistant by design, as the expanded polystyrene blocks are lightweight and weather-resistant. This means that the building can proceed without any hindrance. Every home facade has a rainscreen affixed to it to increase resistance. This is a huge benefit as it cuts down on how long it takes to install your insulated structure.
No Specialised Labour
In contrast to many other systems that call for the assistance of trained experts, anyone who is driven and prepared to start building themselves can use Gablok. The instructions are straightforward and exact, and the insulated hardwood blocks are made for simple installation.
This implies that you can finish your project without having to pay for costly consultants, so you can save money on labor expenses as well as the time it takes to locate and recruit experts.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Gablok house design represents an innovative and sustainable approach to home construction. With its easy-to-assemble insulated wooden blocks, this system offers numerous benefits, including quick installation, reduced waste, and weather-resistant construction.
As Gablok construction is expected to expand into the US market between 2025 and 2028, it has the potential to revolutionize the self-build housing industry. By combining eco-friendly materials, efficient design, and simplified construction processes, Gablok addresses both environmental concerns and the rising costs of traditional home building.
As sustainable construction methods continue to gain popularity, the Gablok system stands out as a promising solution for environmentally conscious homeowners and builders alike.